04.05.2026 17:30
The storm and hail that affected the Birecik district of Şanlıurfa last night caused moments of fear. Due to the storm, a floating restaurant broke its mooring and drifted on the water. As the floating restaurant approached the shore, citizens panicked and threw themselves onto the shore. Those moments were captured on a mobile phone camera. Muhtar Mehmet Öztürk said, 'I am 47 years old, and I have seen such a disaster for the first time in my life.'
Trees felled by the severe storm in Birecik, and damaged parks, were captured by drone footage from the air. Municipal teams cut and removed trees that fell onto roads and sidewalks. Authorities in the region have initiated damage assessment work.
THEY PANICKED AND THREW THEMSELVES ASHORE
Citizens trapped in a floating restaurant drifting on the water managed to escape by jumping off the pontoon, which spontaneously approached the shore about 200 meters ahead. The terrifying moments were recorded on a mobile phone camera.
"I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A DISASTER IN MY LIFE"
Bağlarbaşı Neighborhood Headman Mehmet Öztürk said, "I am 47 years old, and I have never seen such a disaster in my life. Unfortunately, it has greatly affected life. Most of our workplaces were damaged, our trees were felled. Our authorities have started the necessary work with field research. Hopefully, the wounds will heal soon. May God not let us experience this again."
Citizen Hakim Kılıç stated that he faced such a big storm for the first time and said that everyone was concerned about their lives after the disaster.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT WORK HAS BEGUN
Following the heavy downpour and storm, the Birecik District Governorate called on citizens to make official applications for the damages. A legal process has been initiated for citizens who suffered material damage to their homes, workplaces, and vehicles after the natural event. The governorate announced that citizens must submit official applications to determine the damages.
In the announcement made by the governorate, it was emphasized that applications must be made in person to the relevant units at the Birecik District Governorate building. The damage assessment work, to be initiated based on citizens' statements, will be carried out urgently to address grievances. It was stated that necessary data for field work will be collected during the application process, while the Birecik District Governorate will continue to inform citizens through official channels.